Monday, November 26, 2012

Whitsunday Passage Crossing

From Shute Harbour to Denman island, spent the night on the island. Then crossed over the 5km or so "Whitsunday passage" wind against me partly, which made the crossing long and fairly demanding. Long break for lunch in the spot pictured above on Whitsunday island. Hot !!! shade is a must when there is so much glare from the sand.... putting up a tarpaulin or even a pyramid tent is recommended.... to avoid getting tired and irritable due to the glare,sun, heat. siesta over 12-2 or 3 pm recommended...

Also re-hydration powder, Gatorade style recommended.

I snorkelled a bit, then packed stuff away and circumnavigated the small island just north of me :

Cid island. I pass yachts and wave. Some yachts moored in the natural harbours on Whitsunday itself.

saw a very large turtle - 1.4 m or so . Then back across to Denman, break, then back to Shute Harbour.

Good fun and gives me confidence for longer trips with swell etc. Need to acquire a 2nd expedition Kayak so I can take friends out..

Australian Geo article on camping and paddling the Whitsundays:

Bryan says that the Ngaro developed a distinctive art style that can still be seen in paintings on the sea trail. “In fact, the whole southern end of Hook Island is littered with caves and sites, all around Macona and Nara inlets,” he says. “Nara probably has eight or nine caves with paintings and artefacts.” I ask him whether there were ever any permanent settlements on the islands. “The most prominent indigenous campsite was Cid Harbour on Whitsunday Island, which was used as a campsite all year round,” he says. Analysis of middens in this region have revealed that fish, crabs, turtles, shellfish, marsupials, reptiles and birds were all part of the traditional diet, along with many edible plants.